In the battle for television’s most coveted prize and in one of the more intriguing races in recent memory, Emmy Award voters will have to decide whether AMC’s Breaking Bad or HBO’s True Detective is the best thing on television.

Viewers must wait until Monday Aug. 25 to find out, after the 66th Prime Time Emmy Awards were moved from the usual Sunday night slot to avoid a conflict with Sunday Night Football (the Emmys begin at 8 p.m. on NBC and CTV).

The two shows are true heavyweights. Breaking Bad will be judged on its final season — an epic series that some critics feel may be the greatest of all time.

But True Detective is also highly acclaimed, with the benefit of having a distinguished Hollywood pedigree in stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and (Jane Eyre) director Cary Fukunaga.

It speaks to the quality of television today that True Detective, starring McConaughey as the acerbic detective Cohle, and Breaking Bad starring Bryan Cranston as high school science teacher turned drug dealer White, are duking it out in the Best Drama category to see which production will be graced with the imprimatur of television greatness — in this case a small winged woman holding up an atom.

It is the world of new TV with its trainload of defectors from Hollywood, colliding with the small cable show that grew up to be the unlikely standard bearer for television’s most prestigious category.

While war and disease may capture world headlines, in the watering holes of Beverly Hills the matchup between White and Cohle is what passes for Ali versus Fraser. It is a dream bout of gifted opponents perhaps best revealed in a tale of the tape.

The two shows have epic sweep. True Detective tracks the hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana over 17 years, using multiple timelines and points of view. Breaking Bad is a master class in character evolution, shadowing the story of a timid teacher to his ruthless perch atop the hierarchy of the drug world.

A win for either is not a certainty given the strength of the competition: Rounding out the drama nominees are Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Mad Men and Downton Abbey. Each show is worthy of producing a knockout punch. And it is not inconceivable that a vote split could lead to a Game of Thrones win. A massive and vocal fan base for the ambitious, gloriously cinematic fantasy has not hurt its chances either.

But the biggest hype so far has been for the main contenders.

In one corner, Breaking Bad went out, literally, with a bang at the end of a largely satisfying final season.

It also has the sympathy vote. This was the last of five exceptional seasons, which may lead Emmy voters to react emotionally, hoping the show goes out on top.

In the other corner, True Detective told a familiar story using the conventions of a buddy cop procedural but told it in bravura fashion.

Episode 4’s six-minute, action-filled tracking shot is one of the best cinematic moments in television. Still, True Detective may not have the love of some of the more impatient Emmy voters. For one thing, it’s deliberately slow. Don’t eat a meatball sandwich before you curl up on the couch to binge watch.

The series is less about the actual case the two detectives are trying to break than it is a study in character. The emotional payoff comes in the end; whether voters stuck with it is another issue.

But this is the new kid on the block — and don’t underestimate the penchant of human nature to go for the shiny penny. Voters also realize that this is their only chance to reward the show in its current form — since McConaughey and Harrelson won’t be back for season two. The second season has a different storyline and cast.

And there are of course, stumbling blocks to any win.

Breaking Bad won the Emmy for best drama last year so whether voters will want to repeat the favour, or spread the wealth, is another issue.

Perhaps more seriously, True Detective writer and executive producer Nick Pizzolatto has been accused of plagiarism. Pizzolatto denies the claims that he lifted phrases from different authors, including horror novelist Thomas Ligotti. While the accusations have not been seriously damaging, they could give voters pause.

So far, there have been no hints of a favourite at the Creative Arts Emmys, which are held the week before the Prime Time Emmy Awards. The awards showcase the behind the scenes artists who make the shows.

True Detective took home awards for cinematography, makeup, main title design and the no-brainer award of casting two of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Breaking Bad took home an editing award.

But more auspiciously in July Breaking Bad won the Television Critics Award for program of the year. Whether it can use that momentum to take home the Emmy is the question. What we do know is that given the contenders, there are ultimately no bad choices.

“There are some wildly amazing performances. So proud of the way that HBO keeps pushing the ball forward. You don’t think they can push it any further and then out comes True Detective,” said Dunham. “But I love both those shows. Breaking Bad is a work of art and I’m a huge Bryan Cranston fan. Don’t make me choose!”

Verdict

Who will win:Breaking Bad

Who should win:True Detective

Here are some other tight races for Monday’s awards.

Best Actor Drama

While Breaking Bad won best drama at the TCA Awards, McConaughey won the individual achievement in drama award, nudging out Cranston.

That scenario could be replayed at the Emmys. Certainly, McConaughey has been on a personal roll, earning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role as a Texas rodeo cowboy in Dallas Buyers Club.

At the TCA Awards he gave his trademark “Alright, Alright” acceptance speech. And viewers at the Emmys would likely be delighted to see him take the stage again.

But it’s hard to underestimate the Cranston factor. In a major upset Cranston lost to Jeff Daniels of The Newsroom last year. Perhaps voters were waiting for the final moments to give Cranston a proper send-off. But it will be a tight race given the late career brilliance of a resurgent McConaughey.

Also in the race are McConaughey’s partner in crime Woody Harrelson, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm and Jeff Daniels.

But maturing popularity and the law of averages makes this a tighter race for year five. The show is up against prison series Orange Is The New Black, not the most likely entrant for comedy, but it could turn out to be a brilliant strategic pick for Netflix. The humour is brilliant and heartfelt with nuanced characters that pop off the screen. It is neither quite drama or comedy, but skilfully navigates the netherworld of “dramedy,” which could confuse some voters.

Competition includes the nerd series The Big Bang Theory, widely loved by fans, but not so much by critics. There is also the underdog Silicon Valley, another series about nerds, but with thoughtful, observational humour. Critic favourites Louie and Veep are also in the mix.

Hard to believe that the brilliant Amy Poehler of Parks and Recreation has lost out on the last five nominations for best actress award. Will number five seal the deal?

She’s up against Julia Louis Dreyfus, who has won twice already. And then there’s Lena Dunham of Girls waiting in the wings, along with Edie Falco from Nurse Jackie and Melissa McCarthy of Mike and Molly.

The dark horse is Taylor Schilling of Orange is the New Black, who may surprise some if the academy gives the show some extra love. Still, Schilling is arguably the weakest character in the entire ensemble of characters in the prison drama.

Who will win: Julia Louis Dreyfus

Who should win: Amy Poehler

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